How to Smoke Wax Without a Rig – 5 Methods

Having concentrates but nothing to smoke it out of is such a bummer. Traditionally, wax and shatter are smoked out of a dab rig. Unfortunately, these can get kinda prices – especially for someone who doesn’t smoke concentrates that often.

BUT, no need to worry.

I put together a list of 5 good ways to smoke wax or shatter without a rig. Additionally, I included 3 bad ways to smoke without a rig at the end. If you have any additional tips please let me and everyone else know in the comment section at the bottom of the page.

Glass Bowl or Bong

This is for sure the easiest way to go about smoking concentrates without a rig. Load your bowl up like normal then put your shatter or wax on top of the herb. You can smoke it like you normally would and it’ll get you plenty high.

Positives:

Super easy and hassle free.

Negatives:

This way can be a bit wasteful. Once it starts smoking it doesn’t extinguish itself like it normally would so it’s better to keep hitting it so you don’t lose as much smoke to the air.

You don’t get the taste of just the wax which some people prefer. You’re always going to get a taste of herb with your concentrates.

You have to have herb in order for this to work. You can’t smoke just wax out of a glass bowl.

Tips:

If your concentrates are a bit unstable (i.e. melted or sticky) put it in the freezer for 10 minutes or so. It will harden it enough for you to place it in your bowl.

When first starting hit the bowl slowly and don’t bring the lighter too close. Ideally, you want to melt the concentrates into the rest of the herb. If you hit it too hard then it will light up on fire and you’ll loose more of your wax.

Roll It Up

If you really like rolling joints and blunts then you’ll be happy to know that it’s totally possible to add concentrates to your favorite hand rolled smoking device. There are two main ways you can go about this:

You can put it around the outside of your joint or blunt. I like to do a circle around the blunt – I call them checkpoints. Some people also call the speed bumps. Really you can wrap it around however you like. Be ready for it though because it will get drippy so you have to hold it at a higher angle.

You can also roll it up in the inside of your joint. I make a little ‘snake’ that I line the entire length of the rolling paper with. Then place your herb on top and roll as usual.

Positives:

This way is pretty easy and if all you have are joint papers then it’s really all you can do.

Negatives:

Like with using a glass bowl, rolling up your concentrates isn’t exactly the most efficient way to smoke. You’re going to lose to quality smoke to the air, but you’ll still get nice a stoney.

As mentioned earlier, the concentrates will get drippy. This isn’t as much of a problem if you put the concentrates on the inside.

The concentrates may cause your joint or blunt to burn a bit weird and create runs.

Tips:

If you have any kief then you can roll the joint in it. This not only get’s you higher, but it also looks neat.

Knife Hits

Oh, knife hits. What a love-hate relationship I have with those things. Here’s the deal. I personally am not a huge fan of knife hits for one reason – they make me feel like a weed junky. Putting that aside, they do work really well and can be done using common household items. All you need is 2 butter knives, a heat source (usually a stove top or small torch), and an empty plastic bottle.

The basic idea is to get the knives super hot, drop some concentrates on, then press them together. This will vaporize your concentrates. This is when you need to be ready with your plastic bottle which you’ve cut the bottom out of it. Use the bottle like a funnel and suck up all the smoke. The whole process is much easier with 2 people, trust me.

Positives:

When done properly it is pretty efficient and probably the closest thing to an actual dab on this list.

Can be done with everyday items in your kitchen.

Negatives:

Makes you look like a weed junky. Hide those knives before your mother comes over – she’ll think you’re smoking meth or something.

A little difficult to coordinate until you get the hang of it.

Tips:

Hot knives are one of those things you just need to see in action. If you’re interested in trying it then check out this youtube video.

In most youtube videos you see them use a torch. If you don’t have a torch just get the eye of your stove red hot and place the knives on there.

If you’re having trouble dropping the concentrates on the knife then consider only heating one knife and having the dab on the other knife. I’ve found you can still get plenty of heat off just one knife.

Vape Pen

I know, this requires you to purchase something, but it’s a lot less expensive that a rig. It’s also a lot more inconspicuous. Vape pens are widely available in both head shops and online.

Positives:

More affordable than a rig.

Inconspicuous and fits in your pocket.

Very efficient and helps conserve your concentrates.

Negatives:

Not something that you would have lying around the house like the other methods.

Some people do not like the taste that a vape pen gives off. Personally, I find it different but not necessarily off-putting.

You don’t really get a huge rip like you would off a dab rig.

Tips:

If this is something that you’re going to be using regularly then you may want to spend some time online looking at reviews. You may end up deciding to spend a bit more on a long lasting vape. On the other hand, if you just need a quick solution then grab up a cheap one and have at it.

Eating

This one is not really smoking at all, but it is a way to consume concentrates so I thought it was fair for it to make the list. You can get high from eating concentrates, but you will have a bit of prep work beforehand. First, you need to decarboxylate your concentrates. Basically, you need to heat it up to the point where your THCa turns into THC. Like the knife hits, this is a process that is best explained with video so here’s one for everyone considering eating their concentrates. The most important thing is to go very slow with this method. Start out with much less than what you would expect.

Positives:

Uses things found commonly in the kitchen.

Don’t have to smoke or vaporize if your throat is sensitive.

Negatives:

Nothing like taking an actual dab. This is pretty much exactly like taking an edible.

Many people don’t like the taste, but I have a tip below that may help with this problem.

Tips:

You can also put the decarbed oil in pill capsules if you don’t want to worry about the taste or getting the wax all over your mouth and teeth.

Ways Not Recommended For Smoking Wax

There are a few ways we found that people are smoking wax, but these methods are not recommended. There are better ways to go about smoking without a rig which I mentioned above.

Stove

The stove is fine for heating up your hot knives, but we’ve found some people are just dropping their concentrates on the eye of the stove. This goes bad a few different ways. First off, the concentrates tend to drip off the sides only to be caught by your stove’s grease trap. More importantly, you are sticking your face next to a big, red hot burner. This method is just asking to be put on the evening news.

Car Lighter

You can use the red hot coil of a car lighter to vaporize concentrates, but you’re most likely going to end up ruining your car lighter pretty quickly. The coil will vaporize most of it, but there’s always a chance of getting it on the sides. Once this happens you can’t put it back into the slot without getting goo inside.

Tin Foil / Aluminum Foil

This method will work, but the problem is foils tend to off-gas more than solid metals. Once this happens you’ll be breathing in more than just wax vapor. This method – like the hot knives – will make you feel like a weed fiend.

I hope you enjoyed this article. Let me know what you think in the comment section below.

Also, if you enjoyed this article then here are a few of my other article you may like: